FX Orders 13-Episodes of “The Bridge,” Starring Demián Bichir

Following his impressive recurring roles on Showtime’s Weeds, Demián Bichir will headline his American television series.

FX has put in a 13-episode order for The Bridge, the drama pilot starring the 49-year-old Mexican actor and Academy Award nominee and Diane Kruger.

Demian Bichir & Diane Kruger

Based on the Scandinavian series Bron, which was set on the border of Denmark and Sweden, The Bridge takes place on the border between El Paso and Juarez. It centers on two detectives — one from the United States, Detective Sonya Cross (Kruger), and one from Mexico, Marco Ruiz (Bichir) — who have to work together to hunt down a serial killer operating on both sides of the frontera.

“For years networks having been trying develop a drama series set on the U.S.-Mexican border without any success,” said FX president John Landgraf. ”I’m thrilled to say that Meredith Stiehm and Elwood Reid have become the first to crack that creative code and they have done so magnificently. There have been great films set in that world — No Country for Old Men and Lone Star come to mind — but never a great TV series. This one is special. The setting, the writing, the direction, and the way it is brought to life by Demián Bichir, Diane Kruger and the rest of the cast makes for truly riveting drama.”

The Bridge co-stars Ted Levine, Annabeth Gish and Thomas M. Wright; with Matthew Lillard guest-starred in the Gerardo Naranjo-directed pilot.

Filming on the series will begin in April for a July 2013 premiere.

Bichir to Star in FX’s Drama Pilot “The Bridge”

Demián Bichir could be returning to American television in the near future…

The 49-year-old Mexican actor, who had a recurring role on Showtime’s Weeds, will star as the male lead opposite Diane Kruger in FX’s drama pilot The Bridge, which is being helmed by noted Mexican director Gerardo Naranjo.

Demian Bichir

The project, an adaptation of the Scandinavian series Bron, centers on two detectives from the United States and Mexico – El Paso Police Homicide Detective Sonya North (Kruger) and Marco Ruiz (Bichir) — who must work together to hunt down a serial killer operating on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Bichir’s character is described as a family man and one of the last good men in a corrupt and apathetic police force that is outgunned by the powerful drug cartels.

It’s the latest project for Bichir, who was nominated for an Oscar this year for his lead role in A Better Life.

He most recently signed on to appear in Dom Hemingway with Jude Law, as well as The Heat with Sandra Bullock.

He most recently appeared in Oliver Stone’s Savages opposite Benicio del Toro and Salma Hayek, and will next appear in Robert Rodriguez’s Machete Kills.

The Bridge is set to begin production this fall in El Paso and Los Angeles.

Díaz Returning to “Weeds” For Three-Episode Arc

Guillermo Díaz is about to get into the weeds

The 37-year-old Cuban-American actor will be reprising his role as Guillermo Garcia Gómez in the final three episodes of Weeds, beginning with the Showtime series’ 100th episode, according to TVGuide.com.

Guillermo Diaz

“I love Guillermo,” says Weeds creator Jenji Kohan of Díaz, who forms part of the cast of ABC’s Scandal.Shonda [Rhimes] called me and was like, ‘You want my boy back?’ I’m like, ‘I love him!’ and she says, ‘I love him too!’ She was generous enough to let us have him for a little while.”

Díaz’s character was last seen being arrested outside the airport in Season 6 when he planned to kill Nancy (Mary-Louise-Parker). But his return to the series shouldn’t be as dramatic; Kohan says the rocky relationship between Guillermo and his favorite Blanca may have turned around.

“I just think Nancy and Guillermo have circled each other for so many years,” she says. “It’s time that they just accept the fact that they’re going to be in each other’s lives.”

“Nancy Botwin has this power over Guillermo that he, once again, doesn’t kill her when he pops up in front of her again,” Diaz adds. “They just go right back to how they were. We see that Guillermo ends up being a friend.”

Meanwhile, the 100th will see the series head back to its roots.

“The 100th episode is a return to Agrestic,” Kohan teased. “It’s a visit. It’s now Regrestic.” Kohan also said the 100th episode will address Nancy and Andy’s perpetual will-they-won’t-they tension.

As for the final episodes, Díaz’s Guillermo may not be the only fan-favorite character returning for a last hurrah. “Everyone who came back was important to me,” notes Kohan. “Those we couldn’t get back, it was a big disappointment.”

Weeds airs Sundays at 10:00 pm ET on Showtime.

The two-part series finale airs Sunday, Sept. 16.

Bichir Firming Up Post-Oscars Projects

He’s one of Mexico’s beloved actors… And, now it appears Demián Bichir is on the verge of superstardom in Hollywood…

The 48-year-old Mexican actor—who received an Academy Award nomination for his critically acclaimed performance in A Better Life—is lining up his next two English-language projects.

Demian Bichir

Bichir is currently in talks to join the cast of Machete Kills, the follow-up to Robert Rodriguez‘s cult classic Machete. Co-starring Jessica Alba and Mel Gibson, the sequel will find Danny Trejo’s iconic character Machete battle his way through Mexico in order to take down an arms dealer looking to launch a weapon into space.

In addition, Bichir will star in William Friedkin‘s thriller Trapped, where he’ll reportedly play an Israeli agent.

Bichir—who got his start in Mexican telenovelas before crossing over into English-language projects, including an acclaimed recurring role on Showtime’s Weeds, can next be seen in Oliver Stone’s upcoming dramatic thriller Savages, co-starring Salma Hayek and Benicio del Toro

del Castillo to Star in “No Good Deed”

Kate del Castillo’s quest to become a Hollywood leading lady is one step closer to becoming reality…

The 39-year-old Mexican actress, considered the reigning queen of telenovelas, has joined the cast of No Good Deed, starring Idris Elba and Taraji P. Henson.

Kate del Castillo

The thriller revolves around a former DA-turned-stay-at-home mom (Henson) and her two small children who are kidnapped from their home by a mysterious stranger (Elba).

Del Castillo—who starred in Telemundo’s hugely popular telenovela   La Reina del Surwill play Elba’s cheating ex-fiancée.

It’s the latest Hollywood role for del Castillo, who received critical acclaim for her performance in La misma luna (Under the Same Moon), guest-starred on CSI: Miami and had a story arc on Weeds. Up next for del Castillo: playing a transsexual in the film K-11, set for release later this year.

Bichir’s Got “Spirit”…

Demián Bichir is reaping the recognition after starring in critically acclaimed film about an East L.A. illegal immigrant gardener.

Demian Bichir A Better Life Spirit Award Nomination

The 48-year-old Mexican actor has received a Spirit Award nomination in the Best Male Lead category for his star-making role in A Better Life, a poignant film about a father’s love and the lengths he’ll go to give his child the opportunities he never had.

Bichir—who depicted Fidel Castro in Steven Soderbergh’s Che and had a recurring role on Showtime’s Weeds—will face off against Hollywood heavyweights Ryan Gosling (Drive) and Woody Harrelson (Rampart), as well as Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
and Michael Shannon (Take Shelter).

But Bichir isn’t the only Hispanic actor getting some Spirit love…

Transgender actress Harmony Santana has received a Best Supporting Female nomination for playing Michael/Vanessa in the coming out drama Gun Hill Road, the same role that landed her a Gotham Award nomination for Breakthrough Actor. She’s up against Jessica Chastain (Take Shelter),
 Anjelica Huston (50/50),
Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs) and Shailene Woodley (The Descendants).

With five nods each, The Artist and Take Shelter lead this year’s nominations for the Spirit Awards, which honor films made outside of the Hollywood studio system.

Winners will be announced at the 27th annual Spirit Awards daytime ceremony on Saturday, February 25 that will be broadcast later in the evening on the IFC channel.

The Spirit Awards are produced by Film Independent—the non-profit arts organization that also puts on the Los Angeles Film Festival.